The Continuing Fight to Make Change, Preserve History and Honor the WASPs

By Maxine Scheer

Erin Miller, a determined granddaughter of Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) Elaine Harmon, drew major media attention in 2015 and 2016 from the Washington Post, New York Times, FOX, Christian Science Monitor, (as well as ANN) and many other print, radio and television outlets. The compelling story that grew into a national conversation was a three-generation fight against a U.S. Army decision to deny WWII aviator Elaine Harmon her last wish, to have her remains inurned at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).

WASP pilot Elaine Harmon passed in April 2015 at the age of 95. For nearly 18 months, Harmon’s cremated remains were stored in Erin Miller’s closet as Ms. Miller launched a social media campaign and lobbied in the halls of Congress to draw attention and demand action to grant her grandmother’s wish and provide the few remaining WASPs the same option at Arlington.

Prolific media and over 178,000 petition signatures drew the attention of the first female pilot to fly in combat, Arizona Representative Martha McSally (AZ), who with Rep. Susan Davis (CA) in the House, introduced H.R. 4336 (the bill) in January 2016.

McSally and others provided insights into the Congressional Record of the service of the WASPs, the injustices they endured, their fight for veteran status, and their current role as mentors to the growing ranks and success of women military aviators. The House passed the bill with zero nays in March 2016. Senators Barbara Mikulski (MD) and Joni Ernst (IA) introduced a companion Senate bill that was amended, then passed in May 2016. The law granting inurnment rights to WASPs was signed by President Obama on May 20, 2016. The funeral was held September 7, 2016 at ANC, followed by a family memorial service at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, currently the only national memorial for military women in the world.

ANN caught up with Ms. Miller as she prepared for her visit to EAA AirVenture 2018 to share this story and lessons learned from her advocacy efforts, now documented in Miller’s upcoming book, "Final Flight, Final Fight".

After over 1,000 WASPs served the war by training male pilots, towing targets for live ammunition target practice, and logging tens of thousands of hours, WASPs were denied by actions of the U.S. Government to continue as military pilots and secure veteran status. "Grandma never returned to flying, she had four kids and raised her family. But if she had been given the opportunity to fly, she would have kept doing it."

"For nearly 30 years, the WASPs were silent", noted Miller. "But in the 1970s, WASPs advocated in Congress to secure veteran status and were shocked to learn they had been forgotten – their service had basically been erased after the war." Harmon would tell her grandchildren, "we can’t expect history to record us if we don’t continue to tell people about it."

The fight for her grandmother’s burial rights at ANC made Erin realize that her grandmother’s outreach needed to continue. "I realized after grandma passed away, the government was trying, once again, to delegitimize them. It’s important for me and others to continue to tell the story of the WASPs." Erin’s interest in completing her book over the last year had a sense of urgency. "For many years the WASPs were silent and soon all of these people will be gone. If we don’t remember what we already fought for, then it can happen again."

Erin described the purpose of "Final Flight, Final Fight". The book focuses on my experience, such as having to learn details of the legislative history regarding the WASPs, working with members of Congress, and reaching out for public support through the media. I want to teach the reader the process that had to be done to get Congress to act."

Miller described the goal of book as not just about the WASPs, but about activism and how to make change to local and federal laws. "Many people don’t understand how to actually change a law and what you need to know to do that. Even with a contentious Presidential election in the background, it still was possible to gain bipartisan support."

Miller didn’t have relationships with aviation before her grandmother died. "In speaking to aviation groups, I learned about the strong connections within the aviation community. Regardless of political party, they all share this love for airplanes and many come to Oshkosh. The aviation community agrees on certain things and this allows avenues for positive discussion."

One of the many topics Miller plans to discuss is the role of media. "The media was so helpful. It got the word out and motivated legislators to see the public interest and support for what we were doing. It’s a triangle, media, politicians and support from private citizens."

Miller spoke about what the AirVenture audience can do to make sure history is recognized. "AirVenture draws attendees from all parts of the world, from different communities and numerous careers." Miller noted examples, including teachers who subsequently lobbied to get materials and include lessons about the WASPs. "I want to hear people’s ideas. In many jobs, there are aspects of the WASPs story that can be shared."

Several film, book and other initiatives that focus on the WASPs appear to be brewing. "One of grandma’s greatest disappoints was that people would come to the house, talk to her, say they were making a movie, and that never happened. Grandma was sad because she thought movies would be a big arena to spread the word about WASPs. I hope these initiatives gain support and are successful."

Erin is a licensed attorney in Maryland. She has a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law, a Master’s in International Studies from the University of Leeds (UK), and a B.A. in History from the University of California, San Diego.

Erin will be featured during AirVenture 2018 on Friday, July 27th, 11:30 am to 12:45 pm at Forum Stage 4.

Erin has the aviation bug, and now that the book is done, promised herself she’d learn how to fly. Safe bet, she does.

FMI. www.finalflightfinalfight.com, www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4336